Chapter 23: Meeting the Male Lead Again (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 23: Meeting the Male Lead Again (1)
“Dia, if there’s anything you want, just say the word. I’ll give you anything!”
“Mm, thank you, Uncle.”
At my reply, Brandon beamed. The direct descendants all seemed to think I was happy just looking at the room.
“Isn’t this bed a bit high for a child to climb into?”
“It seems the Little Lady’s measurements weren’t conveyed properly. I will have it corrected immediately.”
“…….”
Meanwhile, Vincent was looking around the room with a sharp eye, pointing out every little flaw. The butler followed behind him, diligently checking all the spots that needed fixing.
I took another look around the spacious room. To think that the first thing the direct descendants did upon arriving at the townhouse was check my room. It was mind-boggling.
Perhaps because of that, the expression of the butler managing the townhouse wasn't very good.
Even when the Duke had asked for my room out of the blue, he had given me a strange look.
‘Well, I suppose it can’t be helped.’
The servants in the North had been exceptionally kind to me. They lived far from the capital and didn't know much about the rumors.
In truth, Cedric didn't have a very good reputation in aristocratic society.
People looked down on him, saying he was an illegitimate child who had only received a high title by racking up achievements on the battlefield.
The reputation of the nobles was passed down directly to the servants who served them.
Especially for those living in the capital, there was no way they wouldn't know the rumors about Cedric.
Unlike the North, it was inevitable that the servants of the capital townhouse would look unfavorably upon me, since I carried Cedric’s blood.
That was why the butler’s attitude didn't particularly upset me.
I just hoped he wouldn't get caught and scolded by the direct descendants.
Other than that, as long as they didn't express their dissatisfaction to me directly, I didn't care. I sat quietly in the Duke’s arms, hugging the puppy doll Brandon had handed me.
[Ooh, so many cute dolls! Ooooh!]
[You freak, what’s so great about dolls anyway?]
[Ahahahaha!]
Bibi laughed loudly in excitement, while Desmond clicked his tongue in disdain.
It looked like Bibi would be jumping into a new doll every single day. Since she seemed to like it, I decided to leave her be. I turned my head indifferently.
*
“Waaaaah!”
The capital square was drowned in a massive roar of cheers.
No, perhaps it wasn't just the square, but the entire capital. The square was so packed with people surging in that there was no room to even step.
“Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!”
The citizens of the Empire showered flower petals upon the Crown Prince, who had made a grand entry into the capital leading his knight order.
The tragic Crown Prince who had failed to inherit his rightful throne.
Until recently, no one remembered the Crown Prince who had been driven away to the Western Frontier.
However, the moment the Crown Prince, who was fading from people's memories, made his presence known, a massive shock swept through the capital in an instant.
Right, we had a Crown Prince to ascend the throne!
The Crown Prince who achieved great deeds! The radiant descendant of the Sun!
If he becomes Emperor, the Empire will become even more prosperous!
“Long live His Highness the Crown Prince! Long live the Sylvester Empire!”
The Crown Prince, mounted on a white horse, waved his hand as he passed through the square.
Because of the massive crowds, it took a long time just to cross the square. Yet, he waved with a gentle face, showing no sign of exhaustion.
The procession passed the square and arrived in front of the Imperial Palace. The nobles waiting at the entrance and inside the palace greeted the Crown Prince.
Duke Winston, standing at the head of the nobles, stepped forward.
“Congratulations on your victory, Your Highness.”
“Duke Winston.”
“Infinite glory and blessings to the Sun of the Empire.”
The Crown Prince dismounted with a bright expression. He approached Duke Winston and grasped his hand.
“Thank you for coming, Duke. My heart feels at ease knowing you are here.”
The sight of the two of them looking so close sent a huge shock through the other nobles.
The master of the North, who had remained neutral all this time, had personally come to greet the Crown Prince’s entry.
This was as good as saying the North would actively support the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness, let us head inside the palace.”
“Let’s do that.”
Furthermore, the Crown Prince’s procession, fresh from a great victory on the Western Front, was joined by a large number of Western vassals.
Come to think of it, hadn't the Young Duke of the North married the daughter of an influential Eastern family? The quick-witted nobles immediately sensed the unusual atmosphere.
“Open the gates! The Sun of the Empire has returned!”
The tightly closed palace gates slowly swung open.
Soon, the Crown Prince led his many vassals into the Imperial Palace.
*
As expected, the Crown Prince’s entry proceeded peacefully.
I didn't see it myself, but how peaceful it was that the Crown Prince’s army didn't surround the palace and start a bombardment as if a civil war had broken out.
While spending a leisurely time with Veronica at the townhouse, I was receiving all the information the demons brought back to me.
At this rate, it was only a matter of time before the Crown Prince was coronated. I wore a satisfied smile.
“There’s a victory banquet tonight, so we have to go too.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Our Dia, you can be on your best behavior there, right?”
“Yes.”
I nodded obediently at Veronica’s question.
Although I hadn't had my debutante yet, descendants of great nobles could attend Imperial banquets regardless of age.
It seemed they decided it was better to take me to the banquet than to leave me alone at the townhouse.
I preferred it this way. I could watch the sparks fly between Veronica and the Crown Prince firsthand. I looked up at Veronica with sparkling eyes.
Today, Veronica was even more beautiful than usual. Her luxurious dress, made of soft black velvet with red accents, made her beauty stand out even more.
If the beautiful Veronica and the Crown Prince stood side by side, they would surely look good together. I was secretly laughing to myself while imagining the two of them.
“Oh, Dia.”
“Huh?”
“You have to leave the dolls behind.”
“……!”
After the maids finished dressing me, I had naturally hugged the dolls that Desmond and Bibi were inside, but Veronica stopped me with a troubled expression.
I looked at Veronica in bewilderment.
“N-No.”
[That’s right! Leaving this great one behind? Absolutely not!]
[She’s right! What if something happens to our cute master!]
Noisy voices occupied my head. Perhaps because of that, my displeasure was clearly visible on my frowning face. Veronica looked even more troubled.
“Then you can’t go to the banquet, Dia.”
“Mm, but……”
“Let’s let the dolls sleep here today. Okay?”
“…….”
Veronica’s tone was soft and gentle, but firm at the same time.
Well, it would be strange to go to an Imperial banquet draped in dolls. It couldn't be helped.
‘Guys, get inside the gems.’
[Hieeeek!]
Since I always carried the gems that were the demons' true bodies, they could go to the palace with me if they went inside.
However, the demons, who had been trapped inside the gems for ages, were horrified and hated the idea.
In the end, though, they gave in.
“When we get to the palace, don't leave my side, and don't follow any strangers even if they talk to you……”
“Yes, yes.”
Veronica nagged me the entire way to the palace in the carriage. I nodded indifferently.
Anyway, to think I’d end up going to the palace like this. I thought I wouldn't be leaving the North for a while.
I suppose it was only natural since I had made the Crown Prince appear earlier than in the original story. I thought to myself while staring out the window.
‘Cedric will probably be at the banquet too.’
Since all the nobles in the capital would come to celebrate the Crown Prince’s return, even those in the Empress Dowager’s faction wouldn't be able to miss it.
Veronica still hadn't divorced Cedric. Since he was a madman who had even tried to start a domain war in the North, meeting him at the banquet was bound to be unpleasant.
‘But I’m not the same as before.’
Now, I had contracts with two demons, and at the banquet, Duke Winston and the direct descendants would be there to protect Veronica and me.
In fact, I’d like to see him try to cause a scene. I’ll make sure he’s thoroughly humiliated in front of all the nobles.
I muttered to myself and gave a secret smirk.
[Master, you look really evil right now.]
‘Shut up.’
Screech.
Before I knew it, the carriage had stopped. I followed Veronica out of the carriage.
“You’re here. Berry, Dia.”
“Brother, were you waiting for us here?”
Vincent, who had come to meet us, smiled brightly. Seeing that Henrietta wasn't by his side, it seemed she hadn't returned from the East yet.
“Of course. Father is busy, so I have to personally escort the princesses.”
“Oh, Brother, really.”
Veronica smiled and approached Vincent, taking his arm. Then, she reached out her hand toward me.
“Dia, let’s go.”
“Okay!”
I answered energetically and took Veronica’s hand. After walking a short distance, a massive door came into view.
“Entering: Young Duke Vincent Winston, Ducal Lady Veronica Winston, and… Little Lady Claudia Winston!”
The gatekeeper’s announcement echoed through the vast hall.
It was surprising. To call Veronica, who wasn't divorced yet, and me, her daughter, by the name Winston. It was likely due to pressure from the Duke.
“…….”
As we entered the hall where the banquet was in full swing, a chilly silence greeted us. At the same time, countless gazes pierced into me.